C’weallth Games: Stadia at Jamia Univ. ready ahead of time in New Delhi

NEW DELHI - Even as speedy work is being carried out at various venues of the Commonwealth Games, practice stadia at the Jamia Milia Islamia University has been made ready ahead of time.

The university was chosen as the practice venues for Rugby 7s and the table tennis events. The swanky new sports complex, built from scratch, has been built as a world-class facility.

“We are very happy that we were able to complete it on time. In fact, we did it almost three months before. And, I would have been five months ahead of schedule but for two months my grass was held up because I couldn’t get import licenses from the Government of India. They gave us practice facility for table tennis and also practice facility for Rugby 7s. So, we have got the ground ready for rugby, which can also be used for cricket because there is an electronic score board,” said Najeeb Jung, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Milia Islamia University.

” We have the table tennis facility ready, within that place we can do all kinds of things we want to do. We can do badminton there; we will do wrestling there. Outside, I created extra facility for tennis as well as basketball,” he added.

This sports complex was not just built three months ahead of schedule, but also unlike severe over-budgeting of other venues, Jamia facilities were constructed at the costs lower than the allotted funds.

The state of the art complex has a fully equipped gymnasium, massage rooms and medical facilities.

With time and money to spare, Jamia University has also constructed, a lawn tennis court, a basketball court, even a jogging track, all at par with international standards.

“The facility is definitely five star. And, it is a boon to this university because what we had before the playground was there and in place of that magnificent stadium that you see, we just had a very bare hall. So, we started from the scratch. We demolished, then made this facility, which now has gymnasium, world-class changing rooms, massage rooms and a beautiful balcony from which you can see the cricket ground. So, the students are lucky,” said Jung.

Athletes are expected to arrive for practices from September 23 onwards, though officials from the Organizing Committee have been frequenting the venue for last minute preparations.

Students and residents of the area are also happy with the new facility, as they are excited about using them after the games.

Besides, the university is also providing 700 refurbished rooms for the delegates coming during the games.

Just 18 days to go before the biggest ever-sporting extranvanza India has ever hosted, Vice Chancellor of the University appealed to residents of the city to put there best foot forward and participate in the games.

“I think people should play, I think Delhi is going to be a new city. Of course, we have sacrificed a lot, people in Delhi have even suffered a lot. But these are magnificent stadiums. These are state of the art stadiums. And truly, in next three four years, Delhi will be very proud of these facilities. Sure, we have suffered and may be we will continue to suffer in the next two three months because any new thing that you build is bound to have some teething problems. You make a new house, it takes three months to settle. So, I expect that these facilities will take some time to settle. But they are a boon to Delhi, especially to younger people who love sports,” said Jung. By Ankit Tyagi(ANI)